Which Sunless Tanning Option Is Best For You?

Tanning can give the skin an attractive golden glow. But UVA and UVB rays from the sun can also wrinkle your skin (through breaking down elastin and collagen) and increase the likelihood of developing melanomas and other skin cancers. The solution, for many, is sunless tanning. A sunless tan can be achieved in one of many ways and most commonly involves the application of reactive chemicals (DHA and/or erythrulos) to the skin to give it the appearance of a suntan without actually spending time in the sun. It's possible to temporarily color the face without chemicals - through the use of cosmetic bronzers, which are tinted powders or creams - but if you're looking for an overall glow that won't wash off right away, sunless tanning is the way to go. Keep in mind that sunless tanning does not provide any protection from the sun - it's not a "base tan." Sunless tanners come in two main forms: lotions and spray tans. You can apply these lotions and sprays yourself, or you can have someone (or something) else do it for you. Home sunless tanning: Home self tanners take many forms - creams, gels, lotions, foamy mousses, wipes, and aerosol sprays. These self tanners are normally inexpensive. The main drawback lies in the difficulty of getting an even overall fake tan using these products alone, especially if applying to the entire body.rnSome parts of the body, like the back, are difficult to reach, while others tend to absorb more chemical tanner than others. DHA is readily absorbed into thicker skin, like your hands, elbows, and feet (because the palms of hands and feet tend to have more dead skin cells). That's why your palms tend to turn especially orange after using creamy self-tanners. Wash your hands right after applying a self-tanner, or wear gloves, to avoid orange palms. Additionally, the tanner has a tendency to stain. Professional sunless tanning: Professional sunless tanning is more expensive, but is much more likely to go on evenly and look natural. Spray tans can be completed in two ways - either in an automatic spray tan booth or with the help of a spray tan technician, who manually guides a handheld airbrush device over your skin. Professional spray tanning can darken your skin one to five shades and, if done properly, without orange-ness. A professional spray tan can look natural and last seven to 10 days before fading. Tanning pills: Tanning pills are made with high doses of a chemical called canthaxanthin. Canthaxanthin is a type of color additive found in food when used in small doses. (It's sometimes used in chicken feed to enhance the color of the egg yolk.) When used in high amounts, such as in tanning pills, canthaxanthin can potentially cause hepatitis, digestive system damage, and the formation of yellow deposits in the retina. Tanning pills are not recommended by the FDA. For more information on sunless tanning, visit: www.Zeel.com